September 21, 2011

Two Texas-based firms on "Best Law Firms for Women” list

Texas-based Vinson & Elkins and Fulbright & Jaworski appeared on a 2011 roster of the “Best Law Firms for Women,” published in Working Mother magazine. The list, released Sept. 13, was issued by the National Association of Female Executives and the consulting firm Flex-Time Lawyers. Firms had to have a minimum of 50 lawyers to be considered. Dallas V&E partner Valinda Barrett Wolfert, chair of the women’s career development council for the firm, is pleased but not surprised V&E made the list. Support for women comes from the top at the firm and that resonates, she says. Wolfert says the firm has a maternity-mentoring program that relies on the experience of female lawyers who previously have taken maternity leave . Those lawyers help other lawyers who are pregnant for the first time get through the process of preparing for and enjoying time off after a new baby arrives. “This is a huge benefit to our women,” Wolfert says of the program. At Fulbright, Houston partner Laura McMahon, who chairs the firm’s committee on women in the firm and the profession, welcomes the recent recognition. “I think it’s quite significant, but I would hope what we do for women stands on its own,” McMahon says. Two women were in the firm’s most recent class of new partners who, as senior associates, had opted for flexible schedules, reduced hours and modified compensation to allow for more family time, she notes. As new partners, she says, the two women continue to follow flex-time schedules. One takes off every Friday to be with her family, and the other works reduced hours on an ad hoc basis, McMahon says.-- Miriam Rozen